31．Chinese characters evolved（演變） from pictures and signs， and the art of calligraphy developed naturally from this special writing system of Chinese characters. By（1）
（use） a brush to write Chinese characters，calligraphers can express their thoughts，feelings， and personalities in a point or a line，（2）
Chinese calligraphy is also called the art of lines. The Chinese saying "The handwriting reveals（透露） the writer" is（3）
（direct） related to calligraphy. It means people are often judged by their handwriting. The written characters show the calligrapher's way（4）
（understand） life.
Practicing calligraphy helps（5）
person to achieve relaxation and inner peace. In the past，children （6）
（train） at an early age to practice writing. Great attention is paid （7）
calligraphy today with exhibitions and （8）
（compete） among both the young and the old from many walks of life. To learn calligraphy， one will need a brush， ink， paper， and ink stone， which are commonly （9）
（refer） to as the Four Treasures of Study. Although calligraphy uses Chinese words as the vehicle of expression，one does not have to know Chinese to appreciate its beauty. As Chinese culture spreads throughout the world nowadays， calligraphy is becoming （10）
（popular） than ever before.
